Objectives:
Students will
· explore NPR’s “This I Believe” website
· apply the writing process to effectively write a personal essay centered around a specific theme
· use standard grammar and mechanics
· effectively communicate a personal belief
· create a podcast of their personal “This I Believe” essay

Overview of lesson:
We want to teach students to write an essay focusing on a personal belief. We will use National Public Radio’s “This I Believe” curriculum as a guide. Students will read and listen to podcasts of sample essays on NPR’s website and will write and create podcasts of their own essays.

Process
· Introduce “This I Believe” concept
o read/listen to, analyze, and evaluate sample copies of essays we have selected from NPR’s website
o in groups, determine and present to class the beliefs and themes embedded in the sample essays
· Individually explore NPR’s website
o Select two essays to read and comment on
· Model the writing process for “This I Believe” essay
· Apply writing process (brainstorm topic, plan, draft, peer edit, revise)
· Record essays for podcast
· Post podcasts on school website


NPR